But the hitman will not rush back - and has been helped through his nightmare by ex-team-mate and England and Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez, who is recovering from the very same injury.

Vokes added: “I know players who have tried to rush the injury and tried to come back after four or five months and re-do the same injury. That’s not something I want to think about.

“I’ve spoken to a few people, lads down at Wales who have had a similar injury. And obviously Jay Rodriguez I’ve kept in close touch with because he’s a similar timescale as me as well.

“It’s been good to be able to talk to him about things. He’s level-headed, similar to me, we’ve got our heads down and cracked on with it. He did his two weeks after me so we’re at a similar stage. When I first did it the surgeon said to me it’s a six to nine-month turnaround.

“He said if you can get your head around new year then anything before that’s a bonus. That’s kind of what I’ve gone on.

“I look to be progressing well but I’m not going to get ahead of myself. Whatever timescale it will be it will be.”

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